The Iron Heel

Trailer - The Iron Heel, based on the book by Jack London

A trailer for the three-part audio drama, based on the 1908 book by Jack London.  Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, produced by Untitled Theater Company No. 61.  Trailer sound designed and edited by Ian W. Hill with music and arrangements by Richard Philbin.  To be released in full on May 1, 2021 

The Iron Heel, Part 1: Romance

Part One of our adaptation of Jack London's dystopian novel, the first modern book of that genre, written as a socialist propaganda piece in 1908.  Jack London envisions a world in his near future in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of Avis & Ernest Everhard (Tori Rulle and Mike Iveson Jr), two young socialist lovers. Antonia Meredith (Yvonne Roen), a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the Little Red Songbook.

In Part One, Avis and Ernest meet, and Avis learns of the sad history behind the missing arm of a man named Jackson (Craig Anderson).  Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, with music arrangements by Richard Philbin and sound design by Ian W. Hill.

This episode includes an interview with Dr. Erik Loomis, expert on the history of labor.

The Iron Heel, Part 2: Rhetoric

Part Two of our adaptation of Jack London's dystopian novel, the first modern book of that genre, written as a socialist propaganda piece in 1908.  Jack London envisions a world in his near future in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of two young socialist lovers, Avis & Ernest Everhard (Tori Rulle and Mike Iveson Jr). Antonia Meredith (Yvonne Roen), a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the Little Red Songbook.

In Part Two, Ernest clashes with the owner of the local mill, Mr. Wickson (Trav SD), as they take opposite sides in a political campaign.  Meanwhile, Bishop Morehouse (Craig Anderson) and Avis's father (Joshua Wolf Coleman) are nearly brought to ruin by their concern for less fortunate. Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, with music arrangements by Richard Philbin and sound design by Ian W. Hill.

This episode includes an interview with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Deborah Shaffer, director of The Wobblies.

The Iron Heel, Part 3: Revolution

Part Two of our adaptation of Jack London's dystopian novel, the first modern book of that genre, written as a socialist propaganda piece in 1908.  Jack London envisions a world in his near future in which the oligarchs form a fascist regime in America, told from the perspective of two young socialist lovers, Avis & Ernest Everhard (Tori Rulle and Mike Iveson Jr). Antonia Meredith (Yvonne Roen), a historian from a utopia in the far future, provides dubious historical context. A mixture of romance, rhetoric, and revolution, accompanied by the folk music of the Little Red Songbook.

In Part Three, the Oligarchy seizes power, and Avis and Ernest become revolutionaries. Joined by fellow revolutionaries such as the German immigrant, Biedenbach (Kevin Argus) and Garthwaite (Jason Harris), they face the chaos of conflict. Written and directed by Edward Einhorn, with music arrangements by Richard Philbin and sound design by Ian W. Hill.

This episode includes an interview with Jack London biographer Jay Williams.

Supplemental: Eric Loomis Interview

The full interview with Dr. Eric Loomis, expert on the history of the labor movement.  Author of A History of America in Ten Strikes, Empire of Timber: Labor Unions and the Pacific Northwest Forests, and Out of Sight: The Long and Disturbing Story of Corporations Outsourcing Catastrophe.

Supplemental: Deborah Shaffer interview

The full interview with Academy-Award winning filmmaker Deborah Shaffer, whose work includes the documentary The Wobblies.  During the 80’s Shaffer focused on human rights in Central America and Latin America, directing many films including Witness to War: Dr. Charlie Clements, which won the Academy Award for Short Documentary in 1985, and Fire From the Mountain and Dance of Hope, which both played at the Sundance Film Festival. Shaffer directed one of the first post-September 11 films, From the Ashes: 10 Artists followed by From the Ashes: Epilogue, which premiered at the Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals. She is also the Executive Producer of the Academy Award-nominated short Asylum, and has directed numerous acclaimed public television programs on women and the arts. She directed and produced To Be Heard, which won awards at numerous festivals and aired nationwide on PBS. She has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Irene Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award by the Human Rights Watch Film Festival.

Supplemental: Jay Williams interview

The full interview with Jay Williams, author of Author Under Sail, a three volume biography of Jack London, as well as The Oxford Handbook of Jack London.

Preview episode - Iphigenia in Aulis from UTC61

A preview of our new audio drama series, an adaptation of Iphigenia in Aulis from UTC61, by Euripides.  Adapted and directed by Edward Einhorn.